Police hit jackpot in gambling raid: Perrys avoid jail time, must forfeit cash and machines
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The suspects, Kent and Betty Perry, were granted the pre-trial diversion by Circuit Court Judge Charles Haston following an agreement reached by prosecutors and the defense. The diversion means the couple did not have to enter a plea to the charges. Instead, they will be required to stay out of trouble for the next two years.
After that time, the charges will be dismissed and the arrest stripped from their records. Should either of the suspects have another brush with the law within the two years, the charges could be brought back and the couple prosecuted on the felony counts.
The Perrys were also directed to forfeit the building in which some of the machines were housed. They must forfeit $21,000 cash seized during the raid. The money will be split between the three investigating agencies including McMinnville Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Department and the district attorney’s office. The machines have also been forfeited.
Given the high-profile nature of the Perry case, District Attorney General Dale Potter said this will mark the last time anyone is offered a pre-trial diversion on gambling promotion charges.
“I think with this case, people around here have had more than advanced notice,” Potter said. “If law enforcement finds machines or determines there are payoffs being made, the business owners and persons who own the machines may be charged, and these are felony charges.”
The two were charged last September after lawmen seized 29 gaming devices from two stores, their home and from their business office. The confiscation occurred after investigators were tipped to the illegal gambling operation while they were working a robbery.
The robbery in question occurred at Eva’s restaurant when an employee was attacked for a money bag she was carrying. The robber was caught and later sentenced to jail. However, while investigating the robbery, lawmen discovered an illegal gameroom located in a small building behind the restaurant. Lawmen subsequently discovered more such devices at other local businesses, allegedly owned by the Perrys.
A subsequent raid led to four felony counts of aggravated gambling promotion against both of the Perrys.